The Xbox Series X is designed for native 4K gaming and has the stronger listed GPU specification; the Xbox Series S is designed for 1440p gaming and can upscale to 4K. Both support up to 120 FPS, but a game must offer the relevant mode and your display must support it. These are Microsoft’s platform targets—not guarantees for every game.
How much faster is the Series X?
Microsoft lists the Series X GPU at 12 TFLOPS and the Series S GPU at 4 TFLOPS. Those are manufacturer specifications, not a benchmark showing that the Series X runs games exactly three times faster. The consoles also differ in memory and GPU configuration:
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| Specification | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | 12 TFLOPS; custom RDNA 2, 52 compute units, 1.825 GHz clock (Microsoft specification) | 4 TFLOPS; custom RDNA 2, 20 compute units, 1.565 GHz clock (Microsoft specification) |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 (Microsoft specification) | 10 GB GDDR6 (Microsoft specification) |
These figures indicate a substantial difference in graphics hardware, but they do not predict a fixed frame-rate or resolution difference in every title. Microsoft’s product pages describe console targets; they do not provide a consistent cross-game benchmark or a title-by-title performance comparison.
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Series X: native 4K target
Microsoft describes the Series X as a native 4K console. That is a platform positioning, not a promise that every game renders at native 4K in every mode. Resolution can depend on the game and its chosen graphics settings.
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- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
Series S: 1440p target with possible 4K upscaling
Microsoft describes the Series S as designed for 1440p gaming, with the ability to upscale to 4K. Upscaling is not the same as rendering a game natively at 4K, and it does not mean every title will output an upscaled 4K image.
If you use a 4K television, the Series X is the clearer fit when native 4K rendering is a priority. The Series S can still connect to a 4K display, but its design target is lower. Microsoft’s specifications do not establish a recommended television or guarantee a particular game’s image quality on either console.
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- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Do both consoles support 120 FPS?
Yes. Microsoft lists support for up to 120 FPS on both console families, and explicitly qualifies high-frame-rate modes as requiring supported content and a capable display. The frame rate is therefore game-specific: the platform ceiling does not mean every game runs at 120 FPS, or that a game offers the same frame-rate mode on both consoles.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo benefit from a high-refresh-rate mode, check the individual game’s available settings and make sure your display supports the required refresh rate. The official specifications do not establish a universal frame-rate comparison across games.
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- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
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Which console fits your setup?
- Choose Series X if native 4K gaming is a priority, you want the stronger listed GPU specification, or you need a disc drive on a configuration that includes one.
- Choose Series S if a digital-only console and a 1440p design target suit your needs, and physical game or movie discs are not important to you.
Both belong to the Xbox Series X|S family and share platform features such as Quick Resume. The specifications cited here establish different hardware and resolution targets; they do not establish a different game library or a blanket verdict on value. That decision also depends on your display, preferred games, disc use, storage needs and the prices available to you.
Storage and disc differences to check
Microsoft lists Series X configurations with 1 TB or 2 TB of SSD storage and Series S configurations with 512 GB or 1 TB. Confirm the capacity and exact configuration in the listing before buying, since names alone may not identify the model you are viewing.
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Both consoles support Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Cards, which Microsoft says add storage at internal SSD performance; USB external HDD support is also listed. If you need additional game storage, check that an expansion card is compatible with your console. The cited specifications do not establish a particular card capacity or price.
The Series S is digital-only and does not play physical discs. Microsoft lists a UHD Blu-ray drive on specified Series X models, but not every Series X configuration should be assumed to include one. Verify the listing if you plan to use disc-based games or movies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the specifications can—and cannot—tell you
Microsoft’s current Series X, Series S and comparison pages support the platform-level specifications and qualifications above. They do not establish current local prices or stock, independently measured game benchmarks, per-title resolution and frame-rate modes, or differences in noise and thermals. For a specific game, check its own mode details rather than treating either console’s platform target as a guaranteed result. Prices and availability vary by market and retailer.
Sources: Xbox Series S product page, Xbox Series X product page, and Xbox console comparison (accessed October 11, 2026).
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
